Original Poetry By Gurleen Brar

                Purple Skies
Looking out the window, 
a purple sky opens into another galaxy. 
Its bright fantasy drifts into the deep unknown.
Sitting between red and blue, 
purple carries intuition, softness, a delicacy 
I’ve always held close.
But when the dark secrets crack open, 
what other story waits beneath? 
No one ever knew that behind my quiet, 
there lived a world of red and blue.
Red held the passion to go far, 
the anger sealed in jars, 
the moments I chose to leave behind.
Blue held the emotions— 
the smallest cry, 
the quiet loyalty,
the truth I kept only for myself.
As the purple sky pressed closer to my eyes, 
flowers began to bloom, 
dreams began to rise, 
peace began to move through me.
And as I set aside the version of myself I outgrew, 
my heart became part of art— 
a start, 
and a story still unfolding.

 The River That Calls Your Name
There are two paths to a river. 
One current so strong it can tear you away, 
and another so small it moves with you, 
flows with you, and makes room with you, 
helping you bridge the gap between reality.
As the current crashes 
and the river continues its flow, 
I wonder what other beautiful opportunities lie afar.
The shining river, however, 
lights up with gold, 
glistening across the sky, 
dancing until the night.
It’s powerful, 
holding its inner confidence 
for those who fear the big strong current river 
that holds a dangerous black aroma 
that fills up the sky— 
and once it reaches, no one ever dares to look back at it.
Its caves closing, 
holding unlocked doors, 
but whoever is brave enough to challenge it 
are the ones brave enough to 
open the portal 
to the shining river.
Fearing the river’s destination, 
something within me said:
“Dear strong river,
 I know something in you feels lost like a cause. 
It’s okay to set aside and honor the right things.”
As I talked to it, I asked: 
Why won’t you lead me the way— 
far away from the darkness, 
into something so beautifully new?
I take a step 
as a big bright yellow light leads me through, 
and what do I see?
That even when my voice shakes, 
even when my voice rakes, 
and even when my voice aches, 
there’s something there 
that I didn’t realize coming from the quiet river path 
I initially took.
But it said:
Shine bright 
Don’t hide 
Fly high 
Show light 
And last of all, 
don’t be afraid of the fight